Passenger tracking systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Example passenger validation systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives, at a vehicle, a transport request indicating a passenger and a pick-up location. The vehicle drives to the pick-up location and authenticates the passenger at the pick-up location. If the passenger is successfully authenticated, the method unlocks the vehicle doors to allow access to the vehicle, determines a number of people entering the vehicle, and confirms that the number of people entering the vehicle matches a number of passengers associated with the transport request.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicular systems and, moreparticularly, to systems and methods that identify and monitorpassengers in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Automobiles and other vehicles provide a significant portion oftransportation for commercial, government, and private entities. In somesituations, a vehicle (such as an autonomous vehicle) transportspassengers from a pick-up location to a destination location. Forexample, an autonomous vehicle may receive a transport request from aparticular user. When fulfilling the transport request, the autonomousvehicle needs to identify the correct passenger at the pick-up locationand transport that passenger to the desired destination location.Additionally, the passenger making the transport request needs toidentify the correct autonomous vehicle that is fulfilling the transportrequest. Autonomous vehicles that do not have a human operator need toprovide systems to automatically identify passengers and monitorpassenger activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figuresunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a vehiclecontrol system that includes a passenger validation and monitoringsystem.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a passengerauthentication and monitoring module.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example vehicle with multiple vehicle-mountedcameras.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment of a method for fulfilling atransport request.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an embodiment of a method for fulfilling atransport request that includes multiple pick-up locations and multipledestinations.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of a method for monitoringpassengers by an autonomous vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following disclosure, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific implementations in which the disclosure may bepracticed. It is understood that other implementations may be utilizedand structural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. References in the specification to “oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicatethat the embodiment described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarilyinclude the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic isdescribed in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it iswithin the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature,structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodimentswhether or not explicitly described.

Implementations of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed hereinmay comprise or utilize a special purpose or general-purpose computerincluding computer hardware, such as, for example, one or moreprocessors and system memory, as discussed herein. Implementationswithin the scope of the present disclosure may also include physical andother computer-readable media for carrying or storingcomputer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Suchcomputer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer system.Computer-readable media that store computer-executable instructions arecomputer storage media (devices). Computer-readable media that carrycomputer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, by way ofexample, and not limitation, implementations of the disclosure cancomprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readablemedia: computer storage media (devices) and transmission media.

Computer storage media (devices) includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM,solid state drives (“SSDs”) (e.g., based on RAM), Flash memory,phase-change memory (“PCM”), other types of memory, other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to store desired program code means inthe form of computer-executable instructions or data structures andwhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

An implementation of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed hereinmay communicate over a computer network. A “network” is defined as oneor more data links that enable the transport of electronic data betweencomputer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a transmission medium. Transmissions media can include anetwork and/or data links, which can be used to carry desired programcode means in the form of computer-executable instructions or datastructures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. The computerexecutable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediateformat instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.Although the subject matter is described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the described features or acts described herein.Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example formsof implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including, an in-dash vehicle computer, personalcomputers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors,hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches,various storage devices, and the like. The disclosure may also bepracticed in distributed system environments where local and remotecomputer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links,wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless datalinks) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed systemenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

Further, where appropriate, functions described herein can be performedin one or more of: hardware, software, firmware, digital components, oranalog components. For example, one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out one or moreof the systems and procedures described herein. Certain terms are usedthroughout the description and claims to refer to particular systemcomponents. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, components may bereferred to by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components that differ in name, but not function.

It should be noted that the sensor embodiments discussed herein maycomprise computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combinationthereof to perform at least a portion of their functions. For example, asensor may include computer code configured to be executed in one ormore processors, and may include hardware logic/electrical circuitrycontrolled by the computer code. These example devices are providedherein purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting.Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in furthertypes of devices, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevantart(s).

At least some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to computerprogram products comprising such logic (e.g., in the form of software)stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when executed inone or more data processing devices, causes a device to operate asdescribed herein.

Various systems and methods are described herein for validating andtracking passengers entering and exiting an autonomous vehicle as wellas monitoring passengers to determine health issues, such as physicalimpairment due to alcohol consumption or drug use. In thisspecification, the terms “reservation,” “transport request,” “transportreservation,” and “reservation request” are used interchangeably todescribe a user's request for transport from one or more pick-uplocations to one or more destinations.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a vehiclecontrol system 100 that includes a passenger validation and monitoringsystem. An automated driving/assistance system 102 may be used toautomate or control operation of a vehicle or to provide assistance to ahuman driver. For example, the automated driving/assistance system 102may control one or more of braking, steering, seat belt tension,acceleration, lights, alerts, driver notifications, radio, vehiclelocks, or any other auxiliary systems of the vehicle. In anotherexample, the automated driving/assistance system 102 may not be able toprovide any control of the driving (e.g., steering, acceleration, orbraking), but may provide notifications and alerts to assist a humandriver in driving safely. Vehicle control system 100 includes apassenger authentication and monitoring module 104 that interacts withvarious components in the vehicle control system to fulfill transportrequests, identify passengers, authenticate passengers, monitorpassenger activity, and monitor passengers entering and exiting thevehicle. In one embodiment, passenger authentication and monitoringmodule 104 verifies that a passenger seeking access to the vehicle isthe person who generated the transport request. In some embodiments,passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 monitors peopleentering and exiting the vehicle to be sure the correct number of peopleenter the vehicle (based on the number of people identified in thetransport request) and the correct number of people exit the vehicle atthe proper location. Passenger authentication and monitoring module 104also monitors passengers to determine various health-related conditions,such as alcohol impairment. Although passenger authentication andmonitoring module 104 is shown as a separate component in FIG. 1, inalternate embodiments, passenger authentication and monitoring module104 may be incorporated into automated driving/assistance system 102 orany other vehicle component.

The vehicle control system 100 also includes one or more sensorsystems/devices for detecting a presence of nearby objects ordetermining a location of a parent vehicle (e.g., a vehicle thatincludes the vehicle control system 100). For example, the vehiclecontrol system 100 may include radar systems 106, one or more LIDARsystems 108, one or more camera systems 110, a global positioning system(GPS) 112, and/or ultrasound systems 114. The one or more camera systems110 may include a rear-facing camera mounted to the vehicle (e.g., arear portion of the vehicle), a front-facing camera, and a side-facingcamera. Camera systems 110 may also include one or more interior camerasthat capture images of passengers and other objects inside the vehicle.The vehicle control system 100 may include a data store 116 for storingrelevant or useful data for navigation and safety, such as map data,driving history, or other data. Additionally, data store 116 may storeinformation related to transport requests, such as pick-up locations,destinations, number of passengers, and identity information associatedwith the passengers. The vehicle control system 100 may also include atransceiver 118 for wireless communication with a mobile or wirelessnetwork, other vehicles, infrastructure, or any other communicationsystem.

The vehicle control system 100 may include vehicle control actuators 120to control various aspects of the driving of the vehicle such aselectric motors, switches or other actuators, to control braking,acceleration, steering, seat belt tension, door locks, or the like. Thevehicle control system 100 may also include one or more displays 122,speakers 124, or other devices so that notifications to a human driveror passenger may be provided. A display 122 may include a heads-updisplay, dashboard display or indicator, a display screen, or any othervisual indicator, which may be seen by a driver or passenger of avehicle. The speakers 124 may include one or more speakers of a soundsystem of a vehicle or may include a speaker dedicated to driver orpassenger notification.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of FIG. 1 is given by way ofexample only. Other embodiments may include fewer or additionalcomponents without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, illustrated components may be combined or included withinother components without limitation.

In one embodiment, the automated driving/assistance system 102 isconfigured to control driving or navigation of a parent vehicle. Forexample, the automated driving/assistance system 102 may control thevehicle control actuators 120 to drive a path on a road, parking lot,driveway or other location. For example, the automateddriving/assistance system 102 may determine a path based on informationor perception data provided by any of the components 106-118. A path mayalso be determined based on a transport request that includes a pick-uplocation and a destination. The sensor systems/devices 106-110 and 114may be used to obtain real-time sensor data so that the automateddriving/assistance system 102 can assist a driver or drive a vehicle inreal-time.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of passengerauthentication and monitoring module 104. As shown in FIG. 2, passengerauthentication and monitoring module 104 includes a communicationmanager 202, a processor 204, and a memory 206. Communication manager202 allows passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 tocommunicate with other systems, such as automated driving/assistancesystem 102. Processor 204 executes various instructions to implement thefunctionality provided by passenger authentication and monitoring module104 and discussed herein. Memory 206 stores these instructions as wellas other data used by processor 204 and other modules contained inpassenger authentication and monitoring module 104.

Additionally, passenger authentication and monitoring module 104includes an image processing module 208 that receives image data fromone or more cameras 110 and identifies, for example, faces, objects, andother items included in the images. In some embodiments, imageprocessing module 208 includes a facial recognition algorithm thatidentifies a face of a person approaching the vehicle and matches thatface with user profile data (including a user photo) associated with theuser who made a transport request. A passenger identification module 210identifies one or more passengers entering or exiting a vehicle. Forexample, passenger identification module 210 may verify (orauthenticate) a person attempting to enter the vehicle to be certain theperson is the user who made the transport request. This verification maybe performed via facial recognition, an electronic handshake betweenpassenger authentication and monitoring module 104 and a mobile devicecarried by the user, and the like. In some embodiments, the verificationof a person attempting to enter the vehicle is performed using any typeof biometric data, such as the person's height, weight, retina scan,fingerprint, palm veins, palm print, DNA, odor/scent, gait analysis,voiceprint, and the like. In other embodiments, a person is verified bypresenting their driver's license (or other government identification),passport, credit card, password, personal identification number, orother data that is also stored in the user's profile. Passengeridentification module 210 can also identify and record all passengersentering a vehicle at a particular pick-up location. This information isused at a later time to be sure the correct passengers exit the vehicleat the appropriate destination.

Passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 also includes apassenger tracking module 212 can count the number of passengersentering a vehicle at a pick-up location and determine that the samenumber of passengers exit the vehicle at the destination. Additionally,as discussed above with respect to passenger identification module 210,passenger tracking module 212 can assist with notifying appropriatepassengers when arriving at their destination. This is particularlyuseful when multiple passengers in a vehicle are traveling to differentdestinations. The passenger tracking module 212 can also preventpassengers from exiting the vehicle at the wrong destination.

A passenger analysis module 214 analyzes passenger activities andbehavior to identify impaired passengers, such as passengers who areimpaired due to alcohol, drugs, or other health conditions. Passengeranalysis module 214 can determine impaired passengers based on, forexample, physical body movements, slurred speech, and the like.Additionally, passenger analysis module 214 may receive information froma blood alcohol sensor 218 and an odor sensor 220 which helps determinewhether the passenger is impaired. For example, blood alcohol sensor 218may determine the passenger's blood alcohol level using a breath sensoror other sensing mechanism. This blood alcohol information indicates alikelihood that the passenger is intoxicated. Similarly, odor sensor 220may sense various odors (such as the smell of alcohol on the passenger'sbreath) and determine the likelihood that the passenger is impaired byalcohol or other substance. In some embodiments, if passenger analysismodule 214 determines that the passenger is intoxicated, the passengeranalysis module 214 instructs the automated driving/assistance system102 to change the vehicle's driving characteristics to avoid suddenstops and sharp turns. Instead, the automated driving/assistance system102 is instructed to drive in a smooth manner to minimize the likelihoodof the passenger getting sick in the vehicle.

Passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 also includes avehicle access manager 216 that controls access to the vehicle, such aslocking and unlocking the doors of the vehicle. In some embodiments,vehicle access manager 216 keeps the vehicle's doors locked until apassenger has been authenticated as the person who made a transportrequest. When the passenger is authenticated, vehicle access manager 216unlocks the vehicle doors to allow the passenger (and any guests) toenter the vehicle. A geographic location module 224 identifies thecurrent location of the vehicle as well as the pick-up location anddestination for a particular transport request. In some embodiments,geographic location module 224 determines a route between the vehicle'scurrent location and a pick-up location, and determines a route betweenthe pick-up location and a destination.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example vehicle 300 with multiple vehicle-mountedcameras. As shown in FIG. 3, vehicle 300 has two side-facing cameras 302and 304, which may be mounted to the vehicle's roof, door, or othervehicle component. Side-facing cameras 302 and 304 are positioned suchthat each camera can capture images of people standing near the vehicledoors (e.g., passengers waiting to enter the vehicle). As discussedherein, images of people standing near the vehicle are useful inauthenticating a person waiting to enter the vehicle (i.e.,authenticating the person as the user who made a specific transportrequest for vehicle 300). In some embodiments, cameras 306 and 308 aremounted to (or mounted proximate) the vehicle's side-view mirrors.Cameras 306 and 308 may be side-facing, rear-facing or forward-facing.Additionally, vehicle 300 may include one or more interior cameras 310and 312, which are positioned to capture images of passengers in thevehicle. In some embodiments, multiple interior cameras 310, 312 areused to capture images of passengers in all seating positions within thevehicle (e.g., front seats and rear seats) and facing in any direction(e.g., facing forward, rearward, or toward the side of the vehicle).

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment of a method 400 for fulfillinga transport request. Initially, a vehicle (e.g., an autonomous vehicle)receives 402 a transport request that indicates a passenger, a pick-uplocation, and a destination. In some embodiments, the transport requestalso indicates one or more of a number of passengers being transported,multiple pick-up locations, and multiple destinations. The vehicledrives 404 to the pick-up location and attempts to authenticate 406 aperson at the pick-up location. In some embodiments, a user making atransport request has a user profile that includes the user's name,address, travel preferences, and an image of the user. Whenauthenticating a person at the pick-up location, passengerauthentication and monitoring module 104 analyzes images of peoplestanding near the vehicle (or walking toward the vehicle) to identify aface that matches the user profile image of the user making thetransport request. This authentication process prevents the wrong person(i.e., not the person wo made the transport request) from entering thevehicle. The authentication process may use a facial recognitionalgorithm, an electronic handshake between passenger authentication andmonitoring module 104 and a mobile device carried by the user, and thelike. In some embodiments, the passenger authentication and monitoringmodule 104 identifies a unique identifier associated with the user'smobile device based on information in the user's profile and determineswhether the user is carrying a mobile device with the unique identifier.

In some embodiments, passenger authentication and monitoring module 104provides notices and updates to the user making the transport request.For example, passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 maycommunicate vehicle location information, vehicle estimated time ofarrival at the pick-up location, and the license plate number (or otheridentifier) of the vehicle to allow the passenger to easily identify theappropriate autonomous vehicle that will provide the transport service.In some embodiments, the passenger receives a map via a smartphone orother device showing the specific pick-up location.

If the vehicle cannot authenticate 408 a person located near thevehicle, method 400 continues by notifying 410 people located near thevehicle that the authentication failed. This gives the person anotherchance to authenticate their identity. Additionally, method 400 mayprovide instructions 412 to people located near the vehicle for making atransport request. In some embodiments, the vehicle may wait for apredetermined period of time (e.g., 5 minutes) to see if any of thepeople near the vehicle submit a transport request. After thepredetermined time, the vehicle may respond to another transport requestor drive to another location.

If the vehicle successfully authenticates 408 a person located near thevehicle, the vehicle unlocks the doors 414 to allow the person to enterthe vehicle. In some embodiments, the person making the transportrequest may be traveling with one or more guests. In this situation,method 400 determines 416 how many people entered the vehicle. In someembodiments, a particular transport request includes the number ofpeople who will be traveling from the pick-up location to thedestination. The number of people entering the vehicle can be determinedusing a camera that monitors each person entering the vehicle, sensorsin the vehicle that detect passengers, seat sensors that detect whethera particular seat is occupied, and the like. When using a camera tomonitor people entering the vehicle, deep neural networks may be used toanalyze video images and detect the number of different people.

If the correct number of people enter the vehicle 418 (i.e., the samenumber of people identified in the transport request), the vehicledrives 422 to the destination. However, if more people enter the vehiclethan was identified in the transport request, method 400 requestsverification 420 that the additional people are guests of the personmaking the transport request. Once verified, the vehicle drives 422 tothe destination. In some situations, the person making the transportrequest may be charged extra for the additional passengers. If theadditional people are not verified as guests, the vehicle may wait untilthe extra people exit the vehicle.

When the vehicle arrives at the destination, method 400 determines 424how many people exit the vehicle at the destination. As mentioned above,the number of people entering the vehicle was determined at 416. If thecorrect number of people exit 426 the vehicle (i.e., the same number ofpeople that entered the vehicle at the pick-up location), method 400closes and locks 430 the vehicle doors and waits for the next transportrequest. If the correct number of people do not exit the vehicle,indicating there is still at least one person in the vehicle, method 400generates 428 a notification that all passengers must exit the vehicle.After all passengers have exited the vehicle, method 400 closes andlocks 430 the vehicle doors and waits for the next transport request. Insome embodiments, the vehicle determines how many people exit thevehicle at the destination using one or more vehicle-mounted cameras,such as interior cameras and/or exterior cameras. In other embodiments,one or more interior cameras are used to determine whether anypassengers remain in the vehicle before locking the vehicle doors. Inadditional embodiments, the vehicle may include seat sensors that detectthe presence of a person in the seat. In these embodiments, the methoddetermines whether the vehicle is empty by determining whether any ofthe seat sensors indicate the presence of a person in the seat.

In some embodiments, passenger authentication and monitoring module 104detects fraud or forced entry into the vehicle. In these situations,passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 can automaticallycontact police, a vehicle owner, and the like. Additionally, passengerauthentication and monitoring module 104 may use cameras to record thepeople attempting to fraudulently or forcibly enter the vehicle andcommunicate the recorded images to the police or other entities orindividuals.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an embodiment of a method 500 for fulfilling atransport request that includes multiple pick-up locations and multipledestinations. In some embodiments, multiple people enter the vehicle atone pick-up location but the multiple people request two or moredifferent destinations. In other embodiments, multiple people may enterthe vehicle at different pick-up locations, but all people have the samedestination. Variations of method 500 can accommodate any of thesesituations.

Initially, a vehicle receives 502 a first transport request thatindicates a first passenger, a first pick-up location, and a firstdestination. The vehicle drives 504 to the first pick-up location andauthenticates 506 a person at the first pick-up location. Theauthentication 506 is similar to the authentication process discussedabove with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Method 500 continues by unlocking508 the vehicle doors upon authentication of the person at the firstpick-up location. Method 500 determines 510 how many people enter thevehicle at the first pick-up location. If an incorrect number of peopleenter 512 the vehicle at the first pick-up location, method 500 requests514 verification that the additional people are guests of the firstpassenger. In some embodiments, method 500 may request a desireddestination for each of the additional people. The method may charge anadditional fee for the transport request to accommodate the additionalpeople and/or additional destinations.

If the correct number of people enter 512 the vehicle at the firstpick-up location, method 500 continues as the vehicle receives 516 asecond transport request that indicates a second passenger, a secondpick-up location, and a second destination. The vehicle then drives 518to the second pick-up location and authenticates 520 a person at thesecond pick-up location. Method 500 then determines 522 how many peopleenter the vehicle at the second pick-up location. If an incorrect numberof people enter 524 the vehicle at the second pick-up location, method500 requests 526 verification that the additional people are guests ofthe second passenger. In some embodiments, method 500 may request adesired destination for each of the additional people. The method maycharge an additional fee for the transport request to accommodate theadditional people and/or additional destinations. In some embodiments,method 500 maintains a list of all passengers entering the vehicle andthe destination associated with each passenger.

If the correct number of people enter 524 the vehicle at the secondpick-up location, method 500 continues as the vehicle drives 528 to theclosest destination, which may be the first destination or the seconddestination. Upon arrival at the closest destination, method 500determines 530 whether the correct people exit the vehicle at theclosest destination. For example, method 500 checks to determine thatonly the people who selected the particular destination exit thevehicle. If the correct people did not exit 532 the vehicle, method 500provides a warning 534 that at least one passenger is exiting thevehicle at the wrong destination. In another situation, if at least oneperson was supposed to exit the vehicle, but remains inside the vehicle,a warning may be provided to that person reminding them that they havearrived at their desired destination.

After the correct people have exited the vehicle, the vehicle drives 536to the next destination. Upon arrival at the next destination, method500 determines 538 whether all remaining passengers exit the vehicle atthat destination. If one or more passengers did not exit 540 the vehicleat the next destination, a notification is generated 542 indicating thatall passengers must exit the vehicle. In some embodiments, passengersremaining in the vehicle are presented with an option to initiate a newtransport request for a different destination. After all passengers haveexited the vehicle, method 500 closes and locks 544 the vehicle doorsand waits for the next transport request.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of a method 600 for monitoringpassengers by an autonomous vehicle. Initially, a vehicle receives 602 atransport request that indicates a passenger, a pick-up location, and adestination. The vehicle drives 604 to the pick-up location andauthenticates 606 a person at the pick-up location. The authentication606 is similar to the authentication process discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Method 600 continues by determining 608 whether the person is impaired.In some embodiments, passenger authentication and monitoring module 104determines whether the person is impaired based on the passenger'sfacial expressions, body movements, and speech characteristics. In otherembodiments, the person is determined to be impaired by monitoring theperson's body movements (e.g., stumbling or irregular walking patterns)or speech (e.g., slurred speech). Additionally, in some embodiments,passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 may ask the person toperform a field sobriety test, such as walking heel-to-toe or recitingthe alphabet. Passenger authentication and monitoring module 104observes and analyzes the person's performance of the test anddetermines whether the person is impaired. If the person is determined610 to be impaired, the person is notified 612 that vehicle access isnot authorized.

However, if the person is determined 610 not to be impaired, the vehicledoors are unlocked 614 to allow access to the vehicle. After one or morepassengers have entered the vehicle, all passengers are monitored 616 todetect impaired passengers or passengers with other health problems. Forexample, interior cameras, chemical (e.g., alcohol) sniffers/sensors,skin sensors (e.g., using seat belts, seating surfaces, or other itemsthat are likely to come in contact with a passenger), voiceanalysis/response systems, and other alcohol sensing devices may be usedto detect one or more impaired passengers. If an impaired passenger isdetected 618, method 600 queries 620 the impaired passenger via a voicecommand. For example, the passenger may be asked how they are feeling orasked a simple question such as “What is your name?” If the passengerdoes not respond 622 to the query, the vehicle drives 624 the passengerto the nearest hospital or other medical facility. If the passengerresponds 622 to the query, method 600 changes 626 the vehicle's drivingcharacteristics to avoid sudden stops and sharp turns. In someembodiments, a non-responsive passenger may be in danger of becomingentangled in vehicle seat belts or other vehicle components.Additionally, the non-responsive passenger may be in the wrong positionfor an airbag deployment. Further, a passenger who has regurgitated isat risk for airway blockage due to fluids and the like. To identifythese possible situations, some embodiments use interior microphones tomonitor passenger breathing. Additionally, interior cameras may use deepneural networks to identify passenger distress and use pulse monitors(e.g., facial veins, skin contact sensors, or sound sensors) can alsodetect passenger distress.

Method 600 also determines 628 whether a passenger is likely to be sick.For example, passenger authentication and monitoring module 104 mayidentify verbal statements that are likely to indicate sickness, such asa request for air (e.g., putting opening a vehicle window), requestingto pull over, and the like. Additionally, cameras can use deep neuralnetworks to detect signs of illness. If the passenger is likely to besick, the vehicle pulls over 630 to the side of the road and unlocks thedoors so the passenger can get out of the vehicle. When the passenger isready, the vehicle drives 632 the passenger to the destination.

In some embodiments, the vehicle uses cameras, chemical odor sensors,and other systems to detect vomit, urine, spilled beverages, and thelike inside the vehicle. If any of these items are detected, the vehicledrives to a maintenance center for cleaning before accepting any furthertransport requests.

In some embodiments of method 600, passengers are counted andauthenticated in the same manner discussed herein with respect tomethods 400 and 500.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure are describedherein, it should be understood that they are presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not belimited by any of the described exemplary embodiments, but should bedefined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents. The description herein is presented for the purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in light of the disclosed teaching. Further,it should be noted that any or all of the alternate implementationsdiscussed herein may be used in any combination desired to formadditional hybrid implementations of the disclosure.

1. A method comprising: receiving a transport request at a vehicle, thetransport request indicating a passenger and a pick-up location; drivingto the pick-up location; unlocking the vehicle doors and allowing thepassenger to access the vehicle; determining whether the passenger isimpaired; and responsive to determining that the passenger is impaired,changing the vehicle's driving characteristics to avoid sudden stops andsharp turns.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is anautonomous vehicle.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining whether the passenger is impaired prior to unlocking thevehicle doors.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:authenticating at least one person at the pick-up location; andresponsive to successfully authenticating the person, unlocking vehicledoors to allow access to the vehicle.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining whether the passenger is non-responsive; andresponsive to determining that the passenger is non-responsive, drivingthe passenger to a hospital.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereindetermining that the passenger is non-responsive includes querying thepassenger via a voice command.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining whether the passenger is going to be sick; andresponsive to determining that the passenger is going to be sick,driving the vehicle to the side of the road and unlocking the vehicledoors.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether thepassenger is impaired includes analyzing the passenger's face to detectsigns of impairment.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein determiningwhether the passenger is impaired includes analyzing the passenger'sbody movement to detect signs of impairment.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein determining whether the passenger is impaired includes analyzingthe passenger's speech characteristics to detect signs of impairment.11. A method comprising: receiving a transport request at a vehicle, thetransport request indicating a passenger, a pick-up location, and adestination; driving to the pick-up location; determining whether thepassenger is impaired; responsive to determining that the passenger isnot impaired: unlocking the vehicle doors and allowing the passenger toaccess the vehicle; as the vehicle drives to the destination, monitoringthe passenger to determine whether the passenger is sick or impaired;and responsive to determining that the passenger is sick or impaired,changing the vehicle's driving characteristics to avoid sudden stops andsharp turns.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:authenticating at least one person at the pick-up location prior todetermining whether the passenger is impaired; and responsive tosuccessfully authenticating the person, continuing with determiningwhether the passenger is impaired.
 13. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: determining whether the passenger is non-responsive; andresponsive to determining that the passenger is non-responsive, drivingthe passenger to a hospital.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereindetermining that the passenger is non-responsive includes querying thepassenger via a voice command.
 15. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: determining whether the passenger is going to be sick; andresponsive to determining that the passenger is going to be sick,driving the vehicle to the side of the road and unlocking the vehicledoors.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether thepassenger is impaired includes analyzing the passenger's face to detectsigns of impairment.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein determiningwhether the passenger is impaired includes analyzing the passenger'sbody movement to detect signs of impairment.
 18. The method of claim 11,wherein determining whether the passenger is impaired includes analyzingthe passenger's speech characteristics to detect signs of impairment.19. An apparatus comprising: a communication manager configured toreceive a first transport request indicating a passenger, a pick-uplocation, and a destination; an automated driving system configured todrive a vehicle to the pick-up location and the destination; a vehicleaccess manager configured to unlock the vehicle doors and allow thepassenger to access the vehicle; and a passenger analysis moduleconfigured to determine whether the passenger is impaired, wherein,responsive to determining that the passenger is impaired, the automateddriving system is configured to change the vehicle's drivingcharacteristics to avoid sudden stops and sharp turns.
 20. The apparatusof claim 19, wherein the passenger analysis module is further configuredto: determine whether the passenger is non-responsive; and responsive todetermining that the passenger is non-responsive, instruct the automateddriving system to drive the vehicle to a hospital.